realityshifted | Sacris Solemniis

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doctor who (d1) braxiatel

Sacris Solemniis

[Teapot before him, a plate of pastries beside it, Braxiatel sits at the kitchen table with Strindberg's Ett drömspel open in front of him. Braxiatel stirs sugar into his tea, and a faint smile crosses his face as his eyes flicker to something in the seat to his left.]

[He leans forwards and pours a second cup of tea, then lifts it up to hand it over, the smile widening.] I don't know what you mean by 'ulterior motives,' Comman—

[Braxiatel's fingers tighten on the cup before he can let it go. For a moment, it hangs there, hoping for a hand that cannot take it.]

Ah.

[It is a quiet realization.]

[Braxiatel sets the cup down, away from him. He leans back in his chair and picks up a scone to eat.]

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[she's ready with a quip, but stops at Brax's question. She turns around, nervous and alarmed and sees...no one.]

[She turns back towards Brax and gives him a sad smile that's trying to be comforting before shaking her head no. Then she smiles overly cheerful as she digs into her pie again.]

There's brandy in this pie, I think it is. You know, I can't tell you how many really good looking men I could've sworn I had seen when I've had a bit too much brandy myself. A few more slices and I'll probably be seeing strangers lurking around, too.

[she smiles even harder, and then focuses on pie]

[Braxiatel seems to shrug it off.] A shame. The man in question was particularly good looking.

Maybe you can draw a picture. They last longer, [she takes a bite of pie] or so I'm told.

I'm not inclined to share him with you. Particularly not when you've had him on and off for the past, oh, ten years?

What in - oh! Ooooh. That really does shed quite a bit of light on all the animosity between the two of you. Not that I'm too shocked. You both have far too much in common, and you both enjoy pretending you're in love with yourselves. It was bound to happen.

Edited 2010-10-20 00:09 (UTC)

[He is so not letting this one go. See, Benny? Life is more fun with lies.] Animosity? Not at all. He has so many positive qualities. I simply . . . didn't care to move in on your territory. An idle fantasy, you understand.

[she blinks, somewhere between laughing and shock. She's leaning towards him winding her up, because otherwise just...her brain would break. Thus she's not letting this go either, and she will not be one upped. She bites her lip, looking at him as seriously as possible.] Idle fantasies don't need to remain idle fantasies, Irving. We are all adults. I'd be lying if I said Jason hasn't...well...I always told him you weren't that sort. But maybe I misjudged you.

[she looks at Brax with her hand on her chin as if she's appraising him, before sliding her chair closer to his, her hand brushing some imaginary dust off his shoulder (because real dust dare not mar the suit of Irving Braxiatel)] Both of us, we always thought you've had a universe of unique qualities as well. And Jason, well Jason has always been very curious about your people.

He is a completist, after all.

Edited 2010-10-20 00:27 (UTC)

[Braxiatel has no intention of being out-played himself. He turns towards her - which, conveniently, makes it that much harder for her to touch his shoulders or neck - and takes up her hands in his.]

Why, Bernice. I wouldn't think it of you. You're a woman of many surprises.

[and she can't help but laugh at that, but her smile stays flirtatious as she lets him take her hand.]

[She keeps her hand in his as she stands up, circling around so she's behind him now, her hand still in his hand, and her free arm snaking around his neck as she straightens his tie, her chin resting on his other shoulder so she can speak much more closely and gently into his ear]

Yes, well, it is my middle name. [she's just going to call you out on the pun there, Irving. Her mouth moves closer to his ear, her voice quieter and lower] I wouldn't want to disappoint.

[There is a 90% chance that Braxiatel just thought the Gallifreyan equivalent to "you cheating bastard." (Possibly, it's "you Prydonian." We'll never know.)]

[But he has the advantage of height. So, smoothly slipping out of her grasp and turning around to face her, Braxiatel says—]

[—but his voice stops in his throat and his fingers loosen their hold on Benny's hand. His eyes are meeting eyes that aren't Benny's, and he knows Bernice, he knows that she'll see what's wrong because Benny isn't the same height as Renée.]

[Braxiatel clasps Benny's hand in his, knowing that whatever he picks to recover from this falter, it has to be completely mad.]

You don't disappoint. Not ever. Bernice . . . I want you to call me 'Daddy.'

Edited 2010-10-20 01:07 (UTC)

[Benny catches Brax's gaze not meeting hers, catches that hesitation. Before she has time to be properly concerned, Brax's speaks.]

[She pales, her expression stuck between horrified and blank, her voice deadpan and void of emotion, because...]

...what?

[pleasantly] And I believe that means the match goes to me.

[Braxiatel takes back his seat, and there's a brief moment where his hand slips to hold his arm, a half-hug for himself, a half-comfort, but he transforms the gesture into the smoothing out of his sleeve, and he props up his feet on one of the free chairs as he enjoys a cup of tea.]

[Benny doesn't like to lose. More than that though, Brax's hands are incredibly expressive, and right now she doesn't like that glimpse of pain she sees when he needs to comfort himself]

Un-bloody-likely...[she pauses, as if she's just swallowed bile, before speaking pleasantly again, almost too pleasantly] Daddy.

[her tone is for the most part flirtatious, but she is struggling not to make herself ill] I just...I didn't think you would ever feel that way. I have always been desperate for a father figure, [she leans over the back of his chair once more, arms snaking around his neck, as she nuzzles into his neck as her voice gets lower] Daddy.

[She's not losing ~~and she's not watching him get caught up in the past either~~]

[This is incredibly uncomfortable, but he forces his muscles not to express that. The very disturbing combination of his hallucinations, the flirting, and her actually saying 'Daddy' help him keep his mind focused.] What would Isaac say?

Edited 2010-10-20 01:50 (UTC)

[The mention of her father doesn't help with how disturbing this situation is. She is doing her best to keep up the flirty vibe though, and is forcing down any sick feelings. She is winning this one, dammit] Isaac isn't here, and I'm in dire need of a father figure, [she can do this, that's what she tells herself, as the name comes out sounding way too sugary sweet] Daddy.

[Braxiatel touches her wrist.] Bernice. I appreciate it, truly. But our biology is too different for you to be the mother of my child.

[And THIS is what makes Benny break character finally]

[indignant] Mother of your child?!

[looking at her as if surprised by her outburst] Yes. Why else would I want you to call me 'Daddy'? I want a little girl. I thought we'd name her Héloise.

[she takes a breath, and then back to cheerful, because she does will not accept defeat. She snuggles against Brax again.]

We could always adopt.

[Braxiatel briefly considers the curve balls he can throw her way, then selects one that is perhaps a little dangerous for him as well. He lifts his chin.] I don't intend on raising a child of one of the younger races as my own.

[she's taken aback by that, and her grip loosens, as she stands up to her full height]

That would be a problem. [she can't think of anything to say beyond that as the game feels like it took an odd turn]

[It's game over, in Braxiatel's opinion. Drawing his legs in, Irving gets to his feet. He turns to half-smile at Benny, dispassionate and warm at once. His voice is quieter than it was while he was playing.] I appreciate this, Benny. But I will be fine, no matter how long this lasts. I won't be overcome by past, present, or future.

[She half smiles back, and she's almost tempted to hug him, but then she furrows her eyebrows in confusion] Future?

What happiness has passed, what dreams that are passing, what hopes you have for what is yet to come. A perfect parallel to bad memories, nightmares, and fears.

[she's quiet and then smiles at him sadly] Who would have imagined good memories could be just as terrible?

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